Belfast: Right-arm pacer Blair Tickner’s second-innings five-wicket haul helped New Zealand beat Ireland by an innings and 79 runs on the third day of the one-off Test at the Civil Service Cricket Club on Friday.
The home side needed at least 311 in the second innings to avoid an innings defeat, but could muster 232 before bowling out in the second session of the decisive third day, despite half-centuries from Stephen Doheny and Lorcan Tucker.
Earlier, Ireland were sent back to 65/2 in their second innings in five overs by Nathan Smith through Doheny and nightwatchman Thomas Mays (five).
Doheny then went on to form brief partnerships with Harry Dektor (two) and Curtis Camper, who was injured after collecting four.
The opener teamed up with wicketkeeper Batter Tucker, but before the duo could add 16 runs for the fifth wicket, Tickner eventually fell victim to a heroic 57 off 117 balls with 9 fours to top score.
Tucker then took control of Ireland’s batting charge and scored a blistering half-century, but was foiled by a well-directed bouncer from Smith just after reaching the milestone, resulting in the hosts slumping further to 170/7.
Although bowling all-rounder Mark Adair provided significant resistance and scored a valuable 44, Ireland’s innings was not enough to avoid defeat and they were eventually bowled out for 232 in 63.2 overs.
Tickner sparked New Zealand’s bowling in the second innings with sensational figures of 5/76 in 17.2 overs, with Smith claiming two wickets and Zach Foulkes picking up one.
However, a first innings score of 186 helped New Zealand amass a mammoth total of 490/8, with Tom Blundell adjudged man of the match.